Place gives Reddit exactly what it needs most - user engagement. By going, you’re feeding Reddit stats they can show prospective investors and advertisers on unique users, time on site, and clicks even after the protests.
Reddit was very crafty in relaunching Place right now. They can show a material post-API uptick exactly as Spez promised.
Reddit isn’t looking for immediate ad revenue from Place users. Reddit is looking for the extreme engagement of Place to have great stats to show investors and advertisers.
If you’re going to protest, do it in a way that will upset Reddit’s ability to sell ads and stock. Put goatse on there. Drop hateful racism and misogyny. Link to The Flash torrents. Post hentai.
Reddit absolutely expected it. Wanted it, even. Reddit is going to show prospective investors its usage and engagement statistics for the duration of Place to demonstrate its continuing viability even after the API controversy.
Reddit is doing Place to demonstrate continued engagement despite protests. People should stay logged out. But if they’re going in, people should hit them where it hurts:
Despite sixteen years as an active user, Reddit is dead to me. Even the subreddits I miss because there aren’t as active related communities here (yet) aren’t worth using that fucking app.
“Oh no! Our engagement is up right when we’re prepping for an IPO.”